By now, just about everyone is familiar with <a href="http://inhabitat.com/patrick-doughertys-mind-blowing-nest-houses-made-of-living-trees/">Patrick Dougherty's enormous nests made of willow saplings</a>, but his latest "Ballroom" installation at Federation Square in Melbourne might well be his most ambitious yet. Willows are considered weeds in Australia, where their dense canopy, invasive root system and excessive leaf fall is destructive to local water systems - but the plants offer a great medium for the American artist's larger-than-life <a href="http://inhabitat.com/tag/public-art/">public art installations</a>.

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Ballroom by Patrick Dougherty

Patrick Dougherty bends willow to his will in public art installations around the world

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Ballroom by Patrick Dougherty

This may well be Dougherty's finest work to date

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Ballroom by Patrick Dougherty

This latest installation is standing tall at Melbourne's Federation Square

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Ballroom by Patrick Dougherty

Scaffolding keeps the willow structure secure as it is being built

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Ballroom by Patrick Dougherty

It took three weeks and 10 tons of willow to realize this project

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Ballroom by Patrick Dougherty

Ballroom's design was inspired by the nearby St. Paul's Cathedral

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Ballroom by Patrick Dougherty

Dougherty uses rudimentary tools to fashion these designs

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Ballroom by Patrick Dougherty

By now, just about everyone is familiar with Patrick Dougherty's enormous nests made of willow saplings, but his latest "Ballroom" installation at Federation Square in Melbourne might well be his most ambitious yet. Willows are considered weeds in Australia, where their dense canopy, invasive root system and excessive leaf fall is destructive to local water systems - but the plants offer a great medium for the American artist's larger-than-life public art installations.